From Englewood High School gyms and fields to the U.S. Olympic Trials, Mike Bennett’s athletic journey has left a lasting impact. The former multi-sport standout will be inducted into the Englewood Hall of Fame, which was established in 2025 under the direction of Athletic Director Thomas Rode to celebrate the accomplishments of former Pirates.
As the newest addition, Bennett has continued to excel from high school to even bigger things, such as competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials. Those who knew him when he was a student continue to honor his legacy by sharing stories through friends, family, and coaches who helped shape the player and person he is today.
“My favorite memories always revolved around getting to go to practice every day. I played tennis in the fall. Played basketball in the winter and track in the spring. Track and Field was always really fun for me. The coaches were fantastic, and we had so much fun training,” Bennett said.
He lived just a couple of blocks from the school. It was across the street from what used to be Flood Middle School, “I had an easy walk to class in the morning.”
Bennett looks back on his years and his graduating class with fondness, “High school was pretty diverse with a lot of different cliques. My graduating class was 180. I believe. There were all kinds of activities to get into trouble if you wanted to. Cruising cars on South Broadway on Saturday nights was a super popular thing. It would be a traffic jam well beyond midnight with us going up and down the road. I think Englewood still has a muscle-car fetish, as I’m sure you all experience today. It started in that (80s) era, I believe.”
It wasn’t the easiest start to his high school days. “The hardest part of coming to Englewood at the beginning of my freshman year was managing the already established cliques and friendships at the high school, as most of these kids grew up together in Englewood. I was an outsider and came in as a pretty good athlete, and I was quickly resented by many. I did not handle that well. I could’ve been nicer, but instead was defensive, cocky, and chippy. It took me a while to overcome that.”
Bennett wishes he had made more friendships with a variety of students. “I mostly stuck with the athlete crowd. I really missed out on some wonderful people by not having my eyes and ears open to all of the cool folks that were right in front of me. I have been more diligent later in life. Seeking out different relationships. I wish I had started that while at Englewood because there was really so much to explore.”
Coming from a challenging economic background, Bennett recalls how hospitable Englewood is. “I really appreciate how the staff at Englewood stepped up to help me through some challenging times. I’m sure that environment still exists with the staff there today. I hope each of you sees the value of what these teachers bring every day. Take time to learn more about them and how you can benefit from their experience.”
While Bennett reflected on his experiences as a student, his coaches remembered him well.
“He was a good all-around player. Pretty much an all-around guy, said Coach Stu Howard, who gave his first impression of Mike Bennett, “As soon as I saw him in the gym, I knew that he was a very gifted athlete, and you don’t get too many like him, you know, in a coaching career.”
Howard coached Bennett all four years, “Not only was he gifted, but he made the most of his abilities, and worked very hard to develop. He was a multi-sport athlete. He played tennis, excelled in basketball, and then in track and field. That was ultimately what he pursued in college. But he was an all-league basketball player. He played in the All-State game in basketball.”
Howard was aware of his successes on the track. “He had the high hurdle record. He had the high jump record. He had the triple jump record for the school, and because he was kind of good at multiple track events in college at the University of Northern Colorado, he pursued the decathlon. He was kind of good at everything, and he ended up being the three-time Division Two national champion at the University of Northern Colorado.”
Athletics aside, Coach Howard recognized his kindness. “(He was) friendly, kind of accepting of everyone. He was new, you know, to Englewood, so he had to try to fit in a different town, a different culture than he had come from.”
“He’s 57 years old, which really makes me feel old, you know, because I coached him when he first came into high school,” Howard said. “I’m very impressed with the success, but I’m not surprised, because, once again, you got to have a guy with obvious natural gifts who also had a great work ethic, and I still am in touch with him to this day, I’m just so impressed with what he’s done with his life, and what kind of person he is.”
Beyond his athletic success, Bennett found his time at EHS challenging yet very formidable. “I was literally absorbed by a wonderful group of coaches and teachers at EHS who noticed the life challenges I was experiencing. They all took great care of me and really shaped my young life. I want to acknowledge several of the EHS family who went above and beyond to love and care for me while also coaching me. Stu Howard, Randy Penn, Jim Tucker, Jack Carson, John Sanger, Rich Hargadine, and Gary Price, among many others, all really stepped up to help me find my way. Truly an exceptional effort these people put forth. I’m certain this environment remains available today for every EHS Pirate who shows up and has their eyes and ears open.”
Career Highlights
Mike Bennett (EHS Class of 1987)
- Four-year athlete in Tennis, Basketball, and Track & Field
- UNC Hall of Fame Track & Field athlete
- Three-time NCAA Division II National Decathlon Champion (1989, 1991, 1992)
- Seven-time North Central Conference Champion, including titles in:
- Decathlon (1989, 1991, 1992)
- 110m High Hurdles (1989, 1991, 1992)
- Long Jump (1991)
- Current UNC record holder in the decathlon, long jump, pentathlon, 55m high hurdles, and 60m hurdles
- Competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials
